Chapter 94- Kendall's Plan

Skye watched in horror as the paramedics arrived with Derek Frye and other police officers trailing. Once Kendall's convulsions stopped, Alan and Monica helped lift her onto a stretcher. Despite the paramedics asking Erica to back up, she wouldn't let go of the stretcher, her face as white as a ghost. Bianca followed behind as they passed Michael Cambias and out the door. But one medic stayed to look at Michael.

"I need to get to the hospital," Myrtle said.

"I'll go with you," Skye commented, her breathing growing rapid causing her chest to pang again and she winced.

"Myrtle, Skye," Derek cut in. "We need to ask everyone some questions before they leave. Only Erica and Bianca may go right now."

"But I need to be with Kendall!" Skye cried. "She needs me. She's my best—" She locked eyes with Michael and shrunk back.

Alan and Rae moved close to Skye.

"This new lip product is being taken in to be examined," Derek said. "But we also received a call regarding an assault on Michael Cambias."

Michael pointed to JR. "It was the Chandler boy."

Everyone gasped.

JR stayed close to Hayley and avoided eye contact with everyone.

"This is preposterous," Adam spoke up and placed his hands protectively on JR's shoulders. "JR didn't assault you! You must have a concussion. You're obviously confused."

"I'm willing to forgive him. After all, he's the brother of the love of my life."

Skye nervously chewed her lower lip. JR balled his hands into fists.

"The love of your life!?" Alan shouted. "You need to stay away from my daughter after what you did to her."

"All right, enough," Derek threw his hands up. "Enough. I will question Michael at the hospital after he gets checked out." He nodded at the paramedic as he escorted Michael out. "Everyone else will be called to a different room when it's their turn to be questioned. After that, you may go. Skye, Greenlee, Mia, Simone, you first."

Rae gave Skye's hand a soft squeeze before she joined the other Fusion ladies and the police officers.

Derek took Skye to one room while the other girls followed the other officers into the other rooms.

Skye sat down and placed a hand over her rib.

"So, Skye… what time did do you arrive here today?"

She swallowed hard. "You know, this is wasting time. I need to know how Kendall is!"

"You may go after you answer my questions. The sooner you answer, the sooner you can leave."

She groaned. "I got here at 2pm like the other girls, so we could get ready for tonight."

"And what rooms in this building did you go to?"

"I don't know. The foyer, the bathroom. And you already know I was in the head office."

He jotted something down on his note pad and continued, "Did any of you test this new lip product?"

Skye rolled her eyes. "Duh! We just got it today and it was supposed to be a big reveal to our guests."

"In other words, no?"

She glared at him in response. "Are we done yet?"

"Who was responsible for purchasing the new product?"

"Uh, well our sponsors are putting money into the whole business right now."

He cleared his throat. "Yes, but where did this product come from?"

She squinted her eyes, and she dove deep in thought. She remembered something happened at the bar with Michael, but she couldn't pinpoint—her eyes grew wide. What were those papers he pressured her to sign? "I don't remember."

He raised an eyebrow. "You don't remember?"

"Nope."

"Do you remember who decided on this product for Fusion?"

"No."

"Okay, where were you earlier today?"

"At home."

"And what were you doing at home?" he asked. "Was anyone there with you?"

"Just Mom, Grandma, and Wally."

"Who's Wally?"

"He's our dog," Skye said. "We took him for a walk, but mostly just rested for tonight."

"Right, because you just got out of the hospital," Derek commented. "But hang on, you just mentioned your mother, grandmother, and the dog. Isn't Kendall staying with you right now?"

"Yeah."

"Was she there this morning?"

Skye scrunched her face. She was so doped up on pain medication, she didn't even notice if Kendall was there. "I—I don't think so."

"You mean you're not sure?"

"I didn't really notice…. I should've noticed! I have to go see her."

"Okay, if she wasn't there, do you have any idea where she could've been?"

"Uh, maybe out with Jax?" She frowned a little. "Maybe she spent the night with him."

"How has she been lately? Has there been anything off about her?"

Skye laughed a little. "You mean besides pranking me and trying to make me jealous? Just being the best-est friend ever."

"And now, about Michael Cambias."

Skye rubbed her shaky hands against her thighs.

"You are dating him, correct? Do you have any idea who would have a motive to throw a vase at his head?"

She knew there was a long list, but she shook her head.

"He accused your brother, Adam Chandler Junior. Do you have any reason to believe that your brother is capable of that?"

"You leave Junior alone! He's just a dumb, stupid kid. He was standing next to Hayley the whole time."

He nodded. "Okay, thank you, Skye. You are free to go. But we may need to ask you more questions in the future."

FargateFargateFargate

Erica paced the waiting area and Bianca sat watching her while they waited for Dr. Joe to finish with Kendall.

"I'm sure she'll be okay, Mom," Bianca assured her. "She's more like you than I am. She's strong and she'll pull through this."

Finally, the door opened, and Joe walked out.

Bianca jumped up and she and Erica walked over to him.

"How is she?" Erica asked. "Is she okay?"

"Kendall has suffered cyanide poisoning," Joe explained.

Erica gasped.

"We found it in the lipstick she was wearing," he continued. "But she is very lucky. Her brain scans look fine, and her heart is in good shape. She's also breathing fine. Those are the things we'd be most concerned about. If she didn't get here right away for treatment, it could've been much worse. She's awake now and says she feels a little dizzy and has a headache, plus her skin is clammy. But considering what happened, she's in good shape. I'm treating her with a cyanide antidote, and she seems to be responding well to it already. I'd like to keep her overnight, but if everything goes well, she should be able to go home tomorrow."

Erica smiled a little. "Thank you, Joe."

"Both of you can see her now."

When Erica and Bianca walked in, Kendall was staring at the ceiling, deep in thought.

"Oh, Kendall, we were so worried." Bianca went to her side and held her hand. "I know we've never really gotten along well, but I'm so glad you're okay."

Kendall smiled a little. "Thanks, Binks."

"Maybe all of this is a sign we should start fresh," Bianca said. "Try to be friends… sisters."

Erica finally stepped closer. "I agree. This is what Myrtle has been trying to tell us. And show us…. We need to start acting like a family." She bent over and kissed Kendall's sweaty cheek.

"I'd like that," Kendall said. "Hey, Binks. Do you mind if I talk to Erica alone for a minute?"

"Oh, uh, sure." She hesitantly walked out.

"Are you okay?" Erica asked Kendall. "When you fell to the floor and started convulsing… I was so scared."

"Thank you, for caring."

"Well, of course I care. I'm your mother."

"I really mean it. It means a lot to me that you're here."

Erica smiled.

"But that's not what I want to talk to you about," Kendall continued. "I wanted to ask for your help."

"Well, yes, you will definitely need someone to take care of you for a bit after this. At least until you're fully recovered. That's why I think you should come home with me and Bianca."

"I'd like that, Erica. But that's not what I need help with. I have a plan to avenge what happened to Skye and Bianca."

"What kind of plan?" Erica asked.

"If you help me, both of us will risk losing people we care about. But if it's the only way to stop Michael and protect Skye and Bianca, then it's a risk I'm willing to take. I just don't know if you are."

"What do you want me to do?"

"I know the police are going to shop up at any time alleging someone poisoned me and with evidence of it. I need you to go along with it."

"Go along with it, how?"

"Lash out at this person. Even if it's partly an act, go Mama bear on this person, even if those you love defend the person. There might need to be a temporary divide so I can woo Michael over."

"Woo Michael? We need to stay as far away from him as possible."

"If I don't do this, he'll get away with everything. I need to keep an eye on him. I'm stronger than Skye and Bianca right now. I know I need to do this. And I learned this from you. Keep your enemies close."

"I don't know about this…."

"It's the only way. He doesn't stand a chance against us, Erica."

FargateFargateFargate

Skye didn't wait for Myrtle or Rae but asked Derek to tell them she'd go on ahead with Greenlee, Simone, and Mia. She had to get there as soon as possible to find out how Kendall was doing. When they arrived, Bianca was sitting in the waiting room, her frightened eyes peeking out from behind a magazine.

"Where is she!?" Skye demanded. "Where's the doctor?"

Bianca sighed a little in relief that she wasn't alone now. She pointed to Kendall's door. "She's talking to Mom. The doctor said she's going to be fine."

Skye smiled. "I need to see her."

"Mom is talking to her right now," Bianca said. "Kendall said she wanted to talk to her alone. Then maybe you and Greenlee can go in."

Skye stood a little away from Bianca and the other Fusion girls while they waited. Skye had waited long enough she was growing increasingly frustrated. She finally charged towards the door. "Enough is enough—"

"Skye, Bianca!" Myrtle arrived with Rae and Jackson. "How is Kendall? Where's Erica?"

"Mom is with Kendall," Bianca explained. "It was cyanide poisoning, but Joe says they caught it fast enough and she's going to be okay."

Myrtle grinned. "This is wonderful news."

Skye tried entering again but turned around when Derek's voice appeared. "The forensics report came back and there was cyanide in the new lip product."

Erica stepped out of the room and stood behind Skye.

"We also found papers from Andre Karpov and the person who signed on with him. We also have testimonies that Skye suggested Kendall try on the lipstick today and that the two women have been fighting for weeks." Derek cleared his throat and walked over with handcuffs. "Skye Chandler, you're under arrest for the attempted murder of Kendall Hart." He turned a stunned Skye around and started cuffing her while everyone else gaped at him. "Anything you say can and will be held against you in a court of law—"

Erica burst forward and slapped Skye. "You little wench! How dare you attack my daughter? You nasty, little—"

"Erica, Erica…." Myrtle stepped forward and wrapped an arm around her. "I don't know what papers Derek is speaking of… but Skye would never do this!"

"Please, I didn't do this!" Skye cried. "You have to believe me."

"She's right," Rae said. "Please don't do this. There must be some mistake."

"I need to see Kendall!" Skye said. "She needs me."

"I'm sorry, Myrtle, Rae," Derek said. "We have to follow the evidence."

Skye's eyes welled up and she looked between Myrtle and Rae.

Rae squeezed her forehead. "We'll figure this out. I'll call John for help."

Derek escorted Skye onto the elevator.

Erica walked up to Myrtle. "Do you now see what I've been telling you about them!?"

"Erica…" Myrtle tried to say.

"Rae and Skye have brought nothing but misery to your life, and now that slut Skye tried to kill Kendall!"

"Erica, please…" Rae tried. "I'm so sorry about Kendall, but Skye didn't do this."

Erica held her hand up. "Don't talk to me, Rae."

"Mom," Bianca cut in. "I'm not so sure if I buy this."

Erica turned to Myrtle. "You've left me no choice, Myrtle. It's either me, Kendall, and Bianca, or Skye and Rae. You can't have all of us." She flipped around and went back into Kendall's room.